Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

After the Fact

After the Fact is a podcast from The Pew Charitable Trusts that brings you data and analysis on the issues that matter to you—from our environment and the sciences, to larger economic trends and public health. Experts from Pew and other special guests discuss the numbers and trends shaping some of society’s biggest challenges with host Dan LeDuc, then go behind the facts with nonpartisan analysis and stories.

  1. All Episodes
  2. How Parental Stress Fuels Doomscrolling

How Parental Stress Fuels Doomscrolling

Feb 27, 2026

Getting a first smartphone has become a modern rite of passage for many children and teens. And with the rise of social media and the constant need to stay connected, today’s kids are spending more time online than any other generation. 

But parents are often just as glued to screens as their children, and many are concerned that their own tech habits are straining family relationships and affecting their mental health. In fact, a 2024 report from the U.S. surgeon general found that 48% of parents say their stress is completely overwhelming on most days.

In this episode of “After the Fact,” Pew expert Jessica Roark discusses why screens and social media can have a negative impact on mental health. And Andrea Davis, founder and CEO of Better Screen Time, shares strategies to help families build and maintain healthy tech habits.